Peach tree named ‘FLATBELLA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of flat white peach tree, denominated ‘FLATBELLA’, has a large flat fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright red skin color on an orange red ground. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘FLATBELLA’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2010/0507 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of flatwhite peach tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given thevariety denomination ‘FLATBELLA’. This new tree produces fruit with along shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growthcompletion and after harvesting, large fruit with very good eatingquality, fresh fruit for fresh market in early July in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘FLATPRETTY’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) flat white peach tree, standard variety,for reliable description. ‘FLATBELLA’ is a promising candidate forcommercial success in that it has a semi-late period flowering, flatfruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, andso a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘FLATBELLA’ flat peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the southof France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.The male parent is ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) flat whitepeach tree, very productive, with a very attractive fruit of pink redblush color on a pink cream ground color. The female parent‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) is a white nectarine tree,very productive, with very attractive and very large fruit. ‘FLATPRETTY’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) variety was obtained by open-pollination of‘MAILLARFLAT’ peach tree (sold under the trademark SWEETCAP®,non-patented). It blooms in March in the South of France. Moreparticularly, it blooms 2 days before ‘MAILLARFLAT’ (sold under thetrademark SWEETCAP®, non-patented), between the 9^(th) and the 15^(th)of March, and 3 days time long more. The first fruit of ‘FLATPRETTY’ripens at the end of June and beginning of July, 30 days before‘MAILLARFLAT’ (sold under the trademark SWEETCAP®, non-patented). Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between June 28^(th) and July9^(th). ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) results from an openpollinated cross of ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ white nectarine tree (sold under thetrademark MAGIQUE®) that was used as the seed parent. As ‘MAILLARMAGIE’(MAGIQUE®) nectarine tree has non-showy (campanulate) flowers, flowersblooming occur before pollen maturity. Cross-pollination with varietiesin the vicinity of the mother-tree should have occurred. Pollen parentis unknown. ‘NECTARMAGIE’ blooms in early March in South of France, moreparticularly one day after ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (MAGIQUE®) variety, betweenMarch 3^(rd) and Mar. 15^(th). The first fruit of ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 17,579) nectarine tree ripens in July, more particularlyabout 3 to 4 days before the first fruit of ‘MAILLARMAGIE’ (MAGIQUE®)variety, between July 3^(rd) and July 13^(th). ‘FLATBELLA’ variety wasobtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting in Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. ‘FLATBELLA’ variety has beendetermined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effectsof this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagatedplants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of thetree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant of the ‘FLATBELLA’variety was reproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. More particularly, the plant of the ‘FLATBELLA’variety was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of flat white peach tree ‘FLATBELLA’ bloomsin late February near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,France. The flowering period is considered as semi-late in the South ofFrance. More particularly it blooms between the 24^(th) of February andthe 3^(rd) of March. The first fruit of ‘FLATBELLA’ ripens in earlyJuly, 7 days earlier than ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389)variety. More particularly it ripens between the 8^(th) of July and the17^(th) of July.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the newvariety. The leaves of the new variety are also present.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that depicts a close view of typicalfruits, on tree at ripening time, of the ‘FLATBELLA’ variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that depicts a typical tree of the‘FLATBELLA’ variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘FLATBELLA’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwoodside away from sun. Flowering begins semi-early in springtime. The typeof flower is showy, with medium petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leafglands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption isconsidered semi-early. The fruit flesh is white with a red pigmentationunder the skin and in the stone cavity. Fruit skin is very thick, ofbright red color on an orange red ground. The stone is clingstone, ofsmall to medium size and the flesh is semi-adherent to adherent. Fruittaste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘FLATPRETTY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) the maturityperiod is earlier of 7 days. The blooming time is considered semi-lateand occurs 2 to 3 days earlier. The fruit is of a superior quality asfar as presentation is concerned. The fruit is of a homogenous brightred blush color. The pistil end is well closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white flat peach tree, the following has beenobserved during the third fruiting season under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, inthe Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have beenmade on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a rootstock tree of thetrademark ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR®’. All major color code designations areby reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial            peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50            meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80            meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters including            current seasons shoots length.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Very vigorous. The present variety grew from about            60.0 centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the            first and following growing seasons. For second and            following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate            height of 2.50 meters.        -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Considered regular. A thinning of 1 fruit out of 2            was necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be            too important because of the high magnifying potential of            the fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored            with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on            different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised            between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of            the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained            temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was            also resistant to frosty springtime weather. In a general            manner, the flat fruit varieties are more sensitive to            critical low temperatures and to climatic variations. This            is due to the ovule that is less protected than in the            classical round fruits. The implantation is recommended            where the peach tree is able to grow and more particularly            in the ones that have the less frosts.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.5 centimeters and 7.0            centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately            30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the third            growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the            third growing season. The number of lenticels reaches 3 to 5            lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 0.2 centimeters in height and about 0.3 to 0.5            centimeters in width.        -   Lenticels color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a            silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C to D), whereas the inside            surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 A            or RHS BLACK N 200 B to C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety. Mature branches            show a length between 70.0 and 90.0 centimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 8.0            millimeters, and branches of trees from the third growing            season have a diameter comprised between 13.0 and 19.0            millimeters.        -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is            several years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Internode length.—Generally 20.0 millimeters to 35.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to B).        -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips            is considered a pale yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            GROUP 187 A to B or GREYED RED 182 A) following the position            on the shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,            current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is above 3.38.        -   Leaf length.—From 158.0 to 187.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole. Average length of 177.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—From 46.0 to 72.0 millimeters. Average width of            52.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal            axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark green (RHS GREEN 139            A). Lower surface. A lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B) than            the upper leaf surface color. Leaf texture. Smooth. Leaf            venation. Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 C to D) and evolves with maturity. Leaf margins.            Slightly undulating. Form. Considered slightly dentate.            Uniformity. Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered medium. Length. About 8.0 to            12.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 2.0 millimeters. Color.            Light green to yellow on the upper surface (RHS GREEN 137 C            to D) and yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B to C) on the            lower surface.        -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered medium. Their length is about            1.0 millimeter. Their width is about 1.0 millimeter. Number.            Generally 2 to 4. Type. Reniform. Color. On young leaves,            leaf gland color is considered pale yellow green (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland color turns to a            dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to B). Margins. Smooth and            regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,            the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their            form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions.            Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 14.0            millimeters wide and approximately 22.0 millimeters long.            Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to B or GREY            BROWN GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is            generally of medium pink color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B or 69            C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            blooming. Hardiness. The buds are considered hardy under            typical central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic            conditions. No winter injury was noted during the last            several years of evaluation in the central            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter temperatures as            low as −10° C. in January. The current variety has not been            intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the            variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to            temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature            between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer. Date of            bloom. Generally late February. The first bloom was observed            on Feb. 26, 2005. Second to fifth blooms took place            respectively on Feb. 25, 2006, Feb. 24, 2008, Mar. 3, 2009            and Mar. 16, 2010. Blooming time. Considered semi-late in            relative comparison to other commercial peach cultivars            grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The            date of full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming            period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic            conditions and cultural practices. Duration of bloom.            Approximately 8 to 10 days. This characteristic varies            slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. Flower            type. The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.            Flower size. Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 35.0 to 44.0 millimeters. Bloom            quantity. Considered abundant, approximately 45 flowers per            meter. Flower bud frequency. Generally 2 flower buds appear            per node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal.—Size. Considered medium for the species. Length.            Generally about 22.0 millimeters. Width. Generally about            22.0 millimeters. Petal form. Round. Petal count. Nearly            always 5. Petal texture. Smooth and soft. Petal color. Both            surfaces of the petal are colored with a medium pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 65 B to D) when young, slightly darkening with            advancing senescence. Fragrance. Soft.        -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately 5.0            millimeters. Width. Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Petal            margins. Slightly wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally            complete at the tip and round.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having            an average length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Average 2.0 millimeters. Color. Brown to light            brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C to D).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.            The inner surface of the calyx is considered washed-green            yellow (RHS YELLOW 13 A to B or YELLOW GREEN 150 A to B)            color. The outer surface is purple brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE            183 A to D).        -   Sepals.—Number. Generally 5. Surface texture. The outer            surface has a smooth texture. Size. Medium. Ovoid shape.            Length. Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0 millimeters.            Width. Approximately between 4.0 and 5.0 millimeters. Color.            Flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to B). Stamens per flower.            Average 43 stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Color. Yellow orange red color (RHS            YELLOW ORANGE 16 A to B). Anthers are becoming brown (RHS            GREYED RED 178 A) at maturity. The color evolves with            flowering. Pollen production. Pollen is abundant, and has a            yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B to C). The present            variety is auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to            18.0 millimeters in length. Color. Considered pale pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 62 C to D or RED PURPLE 73 A to B). The color is            evolving with flowering.        -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately from 15.0            to 17.0 millimeters including the ovary. Color. Considered            very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D or RHS YELLOW GREEN            151 D). The color is evolving with flowering. Surface            texture. Glabrous.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 16, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Ripening period.—Approximately 8 to 10 days.        -   Size.—Generally. Considered large, with a homogeneous size            between them. Average cheek diameter. From 66.0 to 74.0            millimeters. Average axial diameter. From 35.0 millimeters            42.0 millimeters. Typical weight. Approximately 120.0 to            150.0 grams. This characteristic is highly dependent upon            the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not            particularly distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. Round and oblate to slightly            cordiform. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry,            viewed from pistil end. Low dented. Fruit suture. Very            shallow, extending from the base to the apex. No apparent            callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.        -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the            blush fruit color, a bright red (RHS RED 46 A to B or RHS            RED 39 A to B) on an orange red ground (RHS YELLOW GROUP 11            B to C).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Apex. In slight dip. Base.            Semi-flared. Shallow. Stem cavity. Average depth of the stem            cavity is about 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Average width is            about 12.0 to 15.0 millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered very thick and strong, and            tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.            Texture. Smooth. Taste. Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.            Tendency to crack. None.        -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous bright            red (RHS RED 46 A to B or RHS RED 39 A to B). The red blush            covers 80% to 100% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage            of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is            generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under            which the fruit was grown. Ground color. The ground color is            orange red (RHS YELLOW GROUP 11 B to C) on 10% to 20% of the            fruit. Appearance is slightly marbled on the clearest part            of the fruit. The percentage of the ground color of the            fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon            the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.            Fruit stem. Medium in length, approximately 4.0 to 5.0            millimeters. Diameter. Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.            Color. Pale green (RHS GREEN 145 A to B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. Very homogenous, slow, very evenly. Texture.            Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, and juicy at            harvesting maturity stage. Fibers. Not fibrous. Aroma.            Pronounced. Eating quality. Considered very good, sweet and            aromatic. Flavor. Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is            generally superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy            and aromatic. Juice. Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix.            Superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.            Flesh color. White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 D) usually with a            slight red pigmentation (RHS RED 53 B to C) under the skin            on the apex side and in the stone cavity.        -   Stone.—Type. Clingstone. More or less adherent according to            the fruit maturity. Stone cavity. Medium, with an ovoid form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.            Size. Considered small to medium for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions. Length. From            19.0 to 20.0 millimeters. Width. From 20.0 to 22.0            millimeters. Diameter. From 12.0 to 13.0 millimeters. Form.            Oblate, semi-round. Base. Flat to round.        -   Apex.—Shape. Oblate with a slight ridge.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. The stone is very furrowed            on its entire surface. Furrows are shallow with a dorsal            groove and a triple ventral groove. The shape of the stone            can be compared to a vertebra. Ridges. The surface texture            is generally characterized by more prominent ridges along            the ventral edges and non prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. Considered small to medium, and having            a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Grooved. Stone color. The color of the            dry stone is orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 173 C to D)            with some zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 176 B to            C). Tendency to split. Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. Small, round and oblate. Length. About 8.0            millimeters. Width. About 8.0 millimeters. Thickness. About            7.0 millimeters. Form. Considered oblate, round and slightly            grooved. Pellicle. Slightly pubescent. Color. The kernel            skin is orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE N164 A to B or 165            B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is            cream-white (RHS WHITE 155 B). The kernel and its embryo are            mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATBELLA’ is considered to be a            flat white peach tree of the semi-early season of maturity,            and which produces fruits that are considered large, firm,            and attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked            consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at            2° degree Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low            sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to            conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong            skin.

Although the new variety of flat peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of flat white peach tree as illustratedand described, characterized by a large flat fruit of very long shelflife without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet whiteflesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright red skin color onan orange red ground.